Dubai to target 3000 MW of solar power by 2030

Dubai is targeting 3,000 mega watts (MW) of solar power by 2030, which is 15 per cent of the overall energy mix, a senior official of Dubai Supreme Council of Energy said on Wednesday.

“We raised the target of solar power from five per cent to fifteen per cent as the price becomes more competitive and encouraging,” said Faisal Rashid, Director of Demand Side Management at the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, speaking to Gulf News on the sidelines of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Group event on Wednesday.

He said a 13MW solar plant has already been commissioned and another plant of 200MW capacity is under construction in Seih Al Dahal between Hatta and Dubai.

“It will be commissioned in two years. We have a target to achieve 3000MW by 2030. We are clear in our objectives. There are also other sources of power adopted by private and government entities.”

He did not give details about the investment but Saeed Al Tayer, managing director and chief executive officer of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), said last month they will invest Dh30 billion to increase the capacity of Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Seih Al Dahal by 2030.

Rashid said they are focusing more on solar energy at the moment and not putting much emphasis on other forms of renewables like wind and waste to energy.

“Based on the initial study and findings, wind energy is not viable but it is open and might come to a different situation later. Waste to energy is another renewable but it could pick up in future. Solar energy is more attractive in the region and has already been picked up by Dubai and Abu Dhabi.”